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| | Source: California Department of Food and Agriculture |
Introduction
This fact sheet provides basic information about the herbA
plant or part of a plant used for its flavor, scent, or potential
therapeutic properties. Includes flowers, leaves, bark, fruit, seeds,
stems, and roots. ginger--uses, potential side effects, and
resources for more information. Ginger is a tropical plant that has
green-purple flowers and an aromatic underground stem (called a
rhizome). It is commonly used for cooking and medicinal purposes.
Common Names--ginger
Latin Names--Zingiber officinale
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What It Is Used For
- Ginger is used in Asian medicine to treat stomach aches, nausea, and diarrhea.
- Many digestive, antinausea, and cold and flu dietary supplements
sold in the United States contain ginger extract as an ingredient.
- Ginger is used to alleviate postsurgery nausea as well as nausea caused by motion, chemotherapy, and pregnancy.
- Ginger has been used for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and joint and muscle pain.
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How It Is Used
The underground stems of the ginger plant are used in cooking,
baking, and for health purposes. Common forms of ginger include fresh
or dried root, tablets, capsules, liquid extracts (tinctures), and teas.
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What the Science Says
- Studies suggest that the short-term use of ginger can safely relieve pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.
- Studies are mixed on whether ginger is effective for nausea caused by motion, chemotherapy, or surgery.
- It is unclear whether ginger is effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or joint and muscle pain.
- NCCAM-funded investigators are studying:
- Whether ginger interacts with drugs, such as those used to suppress the immune system.
- Ginger's effect on reducing nausea in patients on chemotherapy.
- The
general safety and effectiveness of ginger's use for health purposes,
as well as its active components and effects on inflammation.
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Side Effects and Cautions
- Few side effects are linked to ginger when it is taken in small doses.
- Side effects most often reported are gas, bloating, heartburn, and
nausea. These effects are most often associated with powdered ginger.
- Tell your health care providers about any herb or dietary supplementA
product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals,
amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement
the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling
requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not
drugs. you are using, including ginger. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated care.
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Sources
Ginger. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed May 1, 2006.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed a May 1, 2006.
Ginger root. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:153-159.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:241-248.
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For More Information
Visit the NCCAM Web site and view:
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NCCAM Clearinghouse
Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226
TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615
E-mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
CAM on PubMed
Web site: nccam.nih.gov/camonpubmed/
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Web site: ods.od.nih.gov
NIH National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus
Ginger Listing: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-ginger.html
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This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.
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NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not
intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your
primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions
about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of
any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM. | NCCAM Publication No. D320
May 2006
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/ginger/index.htm
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